I’m here to tell you that Tara Wyatt, Harper St. George and Amanda Heger are definitely doing the anthology right.
-Straight Shootin’ Book Reviews

Uprooted is a fast paced, cute read which packs an emotional punch that will leave you swooning for days. The author keeps you guessing with secrets of the past with developmental growth in the present.
-Sisterhood of the Traveling Book Boyfriends

Uprooted by Amanda Heger, was awesome. I knew within the first few pages that it was going to be a five-star reading situation and I was right. Heger told such an intricate and heartwarming story in so few words and it was perfect.
-Little Miss Bookmark

A couple of weeks ago, I got a package in the mail. A really lovely package, with ten advanced reader copies of Semi-Scriptedinside.

Since then, I’ve sent a few out to bloggers and important people in my life. But one copy got a little mangled in the mail. It’s still perfectly readable (and still full of bad dick jokes), but the spine is a bit roughed up.

So I’ve decided to annotate it with behind-the-scenes secrets, doodles, and maybe even a deleted scene. Then, sometime in the middle of August–about three months before release day–I’m going to send it out into the world.

If you’d like a chance to win, sign up for my newsletter. That’s all you have to do! I’ll randomly pick one subscriber and announce the winner in my August newsletter. (U.S. entries only guys. I’m so sorry. I wish postage were cheaper.)

The last few weeks been a whirlwind of reviews and phone calls and endlessly checking my Amazon rank–all while trying to remember what’s really important: I have the tremendous privilege of writing books.

And if the blog interviews weren’t enough, the lovely folks at Authors on the Air decided it would be a good idea to let me speak. Out loud. Live. And then record it for all of eternity. You can hear me talk about strippers, my grandma, and dick jokes here.

Stumbled here after Googling “Has Keegan-Michael Key ever filed for a restraining order?” Then you’ve also come to the right place… But let’s not discuss that.

How about I tell you about the New Adult Scavenger Hunt instead?

NASH (not rash) is a twice-yearly event that gives readers a chance to get their hands on bonus content from their favorite authors. And to win some really fabulous prizes! All you have to do is follow along on the blog hop and add up the lucky numbers found in each post. One lucky winner will get a book from each author on my team. That’s Team Purple for those of you in the cheap seats.

Want more details? Check out all the official rules and such on the NASH website.

Ready to get down to the good stuff?

(No, not that.)

I’ve got a gorgeous short story by the equally gorgeous Zoraida Córdova, my super not-at-all-secret lucky number for the blog hop, and bonus chance to win a Kindle copy of the first book in the Wanderlove series, Without Borders.

There are only two rules for this trip: try something new. Considering neither of us have been here before, everything is going to be a new experience. The second this is: don’t fall down. Hayden laughs at the second rule. Considering how we met, with him falling at my feet like the angel he is, I thought I was being pretty funny.

After a very turbulent flight from JFK, Hayden and I arrive in San Juan, Puerto Rico. My cousin Leti raved about her tan, the beaches, and, of course, the food. While I wanted more stamps in my passport, I decided this would be the perfect start to our globetrotting journey as a couple.

As I wait for Hayden to pick up our rental car I watch him. He was the tallest guy in the entire waiting room. I take great pleasure that the women and young gay guys sitting around me, all check out his physique with me. Strong shoulders framed just so by a blue tank top that matches his eyes. White shorts that bring out the golden tan on his massive thighs and calves.

He’s got the build of a man who works hard every day of his life. There was nothing to be done about his feet, but everyone’s gotta have some sort of flaw. And if unmanicured toes is Hayden’s, I’ll take it.

He jingles the keys to our ride. I try not to count the days we’ve been together in my head, but so far we were up to thirty. It seems a little early to be going off on a weekend trip together. My mother told me to be careful. My best friend, River, reminded me to have sex everywhere. My uncle Pepe reminded me to wear sunscreen because this summer would be one of the hottest in Puerto Rico in a long time. There was an exact year…2005? 2008? I quickly forget as Hayden kisses me. His lips are so full and warm that I forget we’re in public. I place my hand on his neck to bring him closer. Someone giggles to my right, and someone else hurrumphs to my left.

I begrudgingly let go of his lips, but console myself with the thought of us naked, between the sheets.

✳

“I’m happy to be here with you,” he tells me.

We’re at a beach side restaurant in a sweet neighborhood called Condado. As the native Spanish speaker, I do all the ordering. We overlook an incredible view of pristine blue ocean, white crashing waves, and sand that feels so soft, it’s like walking on clouds. “I’m happier to be here with you.”

He drinks his piña colada. It has an audacious pink umbrella. He takes it, opens it, and sticks it in his hair.

“Still happy to be with me?” he asks.

I almost snort my margarita. As good as it tastes, I’m sure salt down my windpipe would not be the best thing on this vacation.

“I’m pretty sure there is little you could do that would make me unhappy to be with you.

But just so we’re clear, don’t try.”

“I wouldn’t.”

Being with Hayden is as easy as breathing, and my lungs are pretty clear. He’s unlike any guy I’ve ever known. I’ve seen how hard he works, and how hard he loves the people around him. Since I come from such a big family, I like seeing someone who’s also into that. A part of me goes off into space. I start to think about what our kids would look like. His eyes and my tanned skin? We’d create beautiful little monsters. Actually, whatever they would look like,

I’d love them more than anything.

Whoa, buddy, calm down. I realize I’m drinking my margarita too quickly. Alcohol should come with a warning: will fantasize about baby making with perfect man.

“You know what I love about you?” he asks.

“What?”

“I never know what you’re thinking.”

I smile. “I think it’d be pretty easy to guess.”

The waitress brings over our food. I have a whole fried fish on a bed of white rice and beans. He has a sizzling steak, yellow rice, beans, plantains, and an avocado.

“I don’t think I ordered enough food,” he says.

We eat in silence, but it’s the best kind of silence. It’s the kind of silence that settles in between close friends and loves, an unspoken pleasure of simply being in each other’s company. Sometimes he’ll reach over the table and hold my hand while eating a spoonful of rice. Other times he’ll stretch out his leg between mine under the table. Rub his knee against mine. Then there are the moments when he sits back and watches me. His blue eyes trace every inch of my face, my hair, which has gotten bigger and bigger from the humidity and sea air. He says one thing, “Hey, I love you.”

And I say, “Hey, I love you back.”

✳

The apartment belongs to a friend of a friend of Leti’s. It’s in a high rise building that overlooks the ocean. There’s a balcony with a little plastic table, and the fridge is stocked with local beer and imported wine.

Hayden walks up behind me, and pulls me into an embrace. He kissed the back of my neck, and despite the hot evening, it sends a chill down my spine.

“I’ve never been anywhere this nice,” he says.

“You live in one of the most expensive areas of New York City,” I tell him.

“Yeah, but I live near the Hamptons. I’m not part of those yuppies that buy beach houses they spend a weekend in and then let a bunch of people party for the rest of the summer. I’m a towny.”

“You could be a yuppy,” I joke.

“You’re the yuppy,” he says, biting my lip.

I turn around, still wrapped in his arms. My back is against the balcony and my hair blows in the wind.

“You’re mine,” he says.

“Yours?” I say. “I don’t think so. I’m just a rental.”

He makes a face. “Who’s doing the renting?”

“ I am, duh.”

“This conversation just got weird.”

I shut him up with a kiss. He pushes against me harder. I lean back with his weight so that we’re halfway over the edge of the balcony. I can feel the drop of the air, the way the breeze pushes against us. His tongue parts my lips, and searches for mine. I let my body settle into the feel of him. His strong chest, his arms around my waist. He positions himself so that I straddle him, pressing his pelvis right against mine. His dick hardens between my legs, and I’m three seconds from losing my panties.

With one hand he tugs my hair back, exposing my neck. It’s amazing how strong he is, but how soft his kisses are. They land on my neck like feathers.

“Oh, God, Hayden,” I sigh.

He pulls back. His blue eyes are dark with lust. They’re unfocused, looking me up and down like he doesn’t know where to start.

So I do it for him. I unbuckle his shorts and lift his shirt over his head. The wind is strong and it slips from my grip, falling over the balcony.

“Whoops,” I say.

He laughs against my ear, sending a sweet vibration down my neck. He bites lovingly all the way down to my shoulder.

I cry out when he bites harder, then I pull myself on top of him. He catches my weight with his hands under my ass. It’s like we’re dancing, like we know each other’s moves. Not in an expected way, but in a way that says we’re partners. We’re together. We’re one.

I giggle when he squeezes my ass, and he moans as he carries me back into the apartment. For just a moment, I remember River’s words: have sex everywhere.

“I can’t make it to the bedroom,” I say.

So he throws me on the couch. I bounce a few times, my head spinning from margaritas and his kisses. It’s a big couch with room enough for the two of us. He pushes my skirt up and around my thighs. His fingers dig into my skin, pulling me down to line up with him. He shuts his eyes at first, letting his erection slide between my wetness.

“Sky,” he moans.

Every part of me throbs expectantly. I rake my nails up and down his chest. I love how hot his skin feels when I touch him. I love the way he pushes into. The way it takes my breath away. I love the way he stays there and doesn’t move. Just the feel of him drives me crazy. I beg him to move, but he doesn’t. He smiles wickedly and keeps kissing me.

Pressure builds at the base of my belly and spreads like fire across my skin. When even he can’t take it anymore, he lets loose, moving with me. It’s hard to breathe with the weight of him against me, but my body explodes with the feel

of him. A delicious shudder passes over my body until I’m spent.

He moans my name and bites my shoulder. I’m going to be red tomorrow, but it’s so, so worth it.

We stay there for a long time, with Hayden still in me, and the sunset bathing us in red and yellow light. I could stay this way forever. I trace my finger up and down his arms. He kisses my jaw line, my lips, my clavicle.

“I’d call Day One of vacation a success,” he says.

I laugh. “Just wait. Tomorrow is our El Yunque excursion. Have you ever had sex in the rainforest?”

*

Note from Zoraida: Thank you for reading a little bit of Sky and Hayden’s adventure after LOVE ON THE LEDGE! Any questions or comments can be sent to zoraidawrites@gmail.com

Nothing can keep a Hennessy from what he wants, even if it means getting dirty… And these men are good with their hands.

When an inheritance forces Natalie Green back to her hometown, she finds herself knee-deep in family heirlooms and unwanted memories. And some of those memories involve landscaper Chris Hennessy—the guy whose virginity she took all those years ago. No matter how hard Natalie tries, she can’t escape her ROOTS.

When lawyer Rachel Cambridge’s life falls apart, she should be heartbroken. So why can’t she drag her thoughts from the bad boy she walked away from years earlier? Sexy mechanic Sage Hennessy isn’t interested in forgiveness, but he won’t say no to a night in his bed. Will it be enough, or will Rachel get back the one man who’s ever REVVED her engine?

Cynical sports journalist Charlie Grant isn’t looking for love, especially not with smartass carpenter Adam Hennessy. But when Charlie hires Adam to rebuild her deck, she can’t seem to keep her hands to herself. When smoking hot sex turns into something more, she’s worried she might get NAILED.

Follow the rough-around-the-edges Hennessys and the women who snag their hearts in DIRTY WORK, an anthology with novellas by Amanda Heger, Harper St. George, and Tara Wyatt.

And here’s the really fun part: You get to help us choose the cover! Our cover designer came up a ton of great options. So many that we could only narrow it down to two. Head on over to our poll and vote for your favorite. Voting is open for one week only, and we’ll reveal the winner in May!